Sam Torrance was
on Wednesday named captain of the European team for the 2001
Ryder Cup against the U.S. at The Belfry.
"It's a fabulous honour to be named European captain,"
Torrance said. "I've never made a secret of how much I enjoy
being part of the Ryder Cup and to be the captain makes me feel
very proud."
Mark James stepped down as captain after the U.S. won the
Cup 14-1/2 to 13-1/2 in Brookline, Boston, in September.
Torrance, 46, was one of James's assistants during the
Brookline defeat and was highly critical of the Americans'
victory celebrations.
He sank the winning putt at the Belfry in 1985 when the
Americans were beaten for the first time since 1957.
The Scot has played professional golf since 1971, has won 21
tournaments on the European tour and has played in eight Ryder
Cup teams. But he has never won a major.
Talking of the Cup captains he has played under, Torrance
said: "Hopefully I can take a little of what I've learned from
all of them to live up to the very high standards set by my
peers."
